Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) chairman Wafula Chebukati was on the National Intelligence Service radar after nullification of President Uhuru Kenyatta's victory.
Leading a hugely divided commission and with political pressure to uphold the law, Chebukati was dealt a blow when Commissioner Roselyn Akombe quit.
This, Sunday Nation reports, made NIS to monitor all phone calls to Chebukati, ostensibly to ascertain his next move, which was critical to the country.
At that time, only the chairman was allowed to be Returning Officer for presidential polls, thus making Chebukati a center of interest for security agencies.
To further cause panic, Chebukati had conceded that the commission could not deliver credible polls on October 26th in 2017 after opposition leader Raila Odinga quit.
With pressure to quit the poll agency, Chebukati rescinded his decision and decided to go on with the polls as planned, giving President Uhuru Kenyatta a lifeline.
“There may be differences of opinion, but the commission is united and committed to deliver a credible, free and fair election. Our mandate is on elections and we are ready in all areas.
"We have a contract with the Kenyan people; the chairman is not planning to resign; the commissioners are not planning to resign; that is fake news,” Mr Chebukati said.
After the polls, President Uhuru Kenyatta was inaugurated at Kasarani stadium, ending months of political uncertainty in the country.
Three months later, Uhuru reconciled with ODM leader Raila Odinga, a move that caught many critics off guard. The two are now plotting to have a referendum.